Connecticut 78, Maryland 77
Friday, November 8, 2013 | 6:30 p.m. EST | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)
Connecticut 1-0, Maryland 0-1
Recap: Although Maryland had two chances to win the game on the final possession, UConn controlled the game throughout (it was up 17 with 11 minutes left). UConn’s speedy guards set the tempo, and their defensive pressure—coupled with Seth Allen being sidelined with an injury—stifled Maryland from the start. UConn had 19 points off turnovers (compared to Maryland’s 10), and had 16 fast break points (compared to Maryland’s 6). Napier, Boatright and Calhoun clearly outplayed Dez Wells and Nick Faust. It was only the first game of the season, so there’s no reason to make grand proclamations, but certainly a decent matchup featuring potential NBA talent.
NBA Prospects (ranked in order of performance/potential shown):
1) Amida Brimah (FR, UConn): C, 7-0, 217
2) Shabazz Napier (SR, UConn): PG, 6-1, 170
3) DeAndre Daniels (JR, UConn): SF, 6-8, 195
4) Ryan Boatright (JR, UConn): G, 6-0, 170
— No notes on Boatright. Still waiting to see more to fully understand his game in the context of his role, and his upside as an NBA prospect. 9 PTS, 6 AST in 37 minutes.
5) Omar Calhoun (SO, UConn): G, 6-5, 195
6) Dez Wells (JR, Maryland): G/F, 6-5, 215
Amida Brimah
Freshman | Center, 7-0, 217
Brimah was easily the most intriguing prospect in only 15 minutes of play.
In his first college game ever, Brimah—a tall and slender center from Miami (via Ghana)—made his mark on at least five plays. 6-10 size and elite shot-blocking ability. He was credited with 3 blocks, but altered at least 5 more shots.
Brimah is extremely raw on offense (not much skill or polish; can’t do more than catch-and-dunk in open space), but he has NBA-level shot blocking ability and strong hands in the paint. His defensive timing is impeccable. He is already an impact defender on the college level, and all things considered, Brimah is one of the most under the radar Draft prospects in the country.
He also runs the floor as fast as any big man I’ve seen. He plays with contagious energy, or as Coach Ollie often says, “he’s passionate about his passion.” Again: Great defender, runs the floor, no offensive game right now but he dunks with power.
It’s too early to determine how his offensive game will develop, but Brimah is a prospect to monitor.
Video: Blocks and then runs the floor quickly; Blocks two consecutive shots and then is first player up the floor; Two strong dunks; Two physical rebounds; Loses balance and gets called for traveling violation.
Shabazz Napier
Senior | PG, 6-1, 170
Napier is UConn’s best playmaker and most dependable player. He can make something out of nothing, and is the unquestioned leader of the Huskies. I’m not sure what his NBA projections are, but his strengths are transparent and consistent.
Small but lightning-quick. Rare ball-handling ability. Penetrated Maryland’s 2-3 zone from the top of the key with ease on several possessions. Can pull-up in transition. High basketball IQ, setting up teammates and thinking one step ahead. 18 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
Used handle to get into paint and create. Drew contact in transition (6-6 free-throws). Also showcased developing Euro-step.
Video: Playmaking
Video: Scoring
— Nice balance and form to shoot over taller defenders. Converts jump shot against Evan Smotrycz (6-8) and Nick Faust (6-6). Blazing end-to-end speed to draw contact on layup.
DeAndre Daniels
Junior | SF, 6-8, 195
Daniels was not as assertive as I’d hoped, but he showed glimpses. He’s an athletic, versatile 6-8 swingman who’s trying to expand his offense to the perimeter.
Although he was 0-3 from three-point range, Daniels was not reluctant to step out and shoot the 3, which is a good sign. He has the green light to shoot from 3 if he wants. However, his shooting form is crooked—he does not bring his shooting hand (his right hand) under the basketball. His shooting hand is near the side of the ball when he releases.
Nice floater inside the paint. Unselfish play, swinging the ball and contributing on several “hockey assists.” DeAndre also showcased defensive versatility; he defended Dez Wells, Nick Faust, and played inside as well.
Would be nice to see DeAndre face-up in the mid-range area, as he tends to turn his back against pressure inside the 3-point line.
He needs to realize that scoring is not the only way to impact the game. There are rebounds, assists, blocks, active communication, and others ways to help his team. It seems like Daniels gets dejected if he’s not scoring the ball. Great kid, but needs to work on this.
Video: Smooth rip-through from the 3-point line for the easy dunk; Turn-around floater from the baseline; Turn-around jump shot from the high post
Omar Calhoun
Sophomore | G, 6-5, 195
Calhoun is an aggressive guard with a strong dribble-drive game. Good size, strong frame and deceptive speed. If he can develop a jump shot, he has potential to be a very good lead guard.
Calhoun is clearly trying to develop a jump shot this season. Shot 28.6% from 3-point last year, on 7 attempts per game! Calhoun was 2-7 from 3-point vs. Maryland—including some bad misses—and his shot looked flat. But he’ll keep shooting and hopes to find a rhythm.
I’ve always thought Omar was most effective as a primary ball handler, but he’s obviously playing off the ball right now. Maybe it’s because of his shooting struggles, or because there’s not room in the backcourt alongside Napier and Boatright. Although he’s not the most outspoken player, he competes hard every game.
Video: Three consecutive missed 3-pointers; two made 3-pointers; strong drive
Dez Wells
Junior | G/F, 6-5, 215
Maryland’s guards struggled to do anything positive against UConn’s pressure. Wells did a poor job handling the ball against pressure—he couldn’t break the press and had 6 turnovers. Although Wells finished with 6 assists, Napier, Boatright and Calhoun virtually locked him up. And lacking any help from his teammates, Wells forced off-balanced shots throughout the evening.
Wells has a wide frame, quick first step and excellent body control to finish through contact. Perhaps playing alongside a point guard who can facilitate will help Wells, but without one, he was vulnerable as a primary ball handler. Wells’ two game-winning attempts at the end were a microcosm of his overall performance.
Video: Turnovers, Struggles
Nick Faust
Junior | SG, 6-6, 205
Don’t let Faust’s 17 points fool you. He shot 5-18 (3-10 from 3), and seemed like he was “going through the motions” all night long. Faust was lackadaisical on both sides of the ball and did not play with a sense of urgency. He’s a good ball handler, so it was disappointing to see him struggle so much against UConn’s diminutive backcourt. He also had trouble finishing around the basket. Not a good performance by any standard.
Video: Poor shooting
Notes:
— With guard Seth Allen injured for 8-10 weeks, Maryland freshman Roddy Peters may be tasked to play heavy minutes earlier than expected. He played 18 minutes on Friday. Peters appeared timid in his first career game, but he has good size and length, and should eventually play an integral role on this team.
— UConn senior swingman/spot-up shooter Niels Giffey shot the ball well. Giffey scored 17 points on 5-7 3-point shooting. He did not hesitate on his jumpshot. Thirteen of his 17 points came in the first half. Giffey could be UConn’s “X-Factor” this season.
—I did not realize Ryan Boatright could dunk with ease. He had a few dunks on wide-open fast breaks. Boatright has one of the quickest crossovers I’ve ever seen, and has an impeccable floater. I’m waiting to see more to try and fully understand his game, though.
— UConn freshman Terrence Samuel handled some point guard duties in seven minutes of play. Forward Kentan Facey did not play, but Coach Ollie said Kentan will get his opportunity soon.
STATS
— Amida Brimah 5 PTS, 3 REBS, 3 BLKS, 4 Fouls (15 min)
— Shabazz Napier 18 PTS, 7 AST, 7 REBS, 2 STLS (33 min)
— DeAndre Daniels 8 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 3 BLK (32 min)
— Ryan Boatright 9 PTS, 6 AST, 3 REB (37 min)
— Omar Calhoun 10 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST (20 min)
— Dez Wells 13 PTS (3-10 FG), 7 REBS, 6 AST, 6 TO (37 min)
— Nick Faust 17 PTS, 4 REBS, 3 AST (32 min)
5-18 FG, 3-10 Three-Point